The Power of Originality

Last night I went to a talk by the composer John Adams and the new conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop. I ushered, so I got in free.

I miss Micronesia very, very much, but an evening like last night reminds me of what I missed while I was in the Pacific: The Power of Originality - a rare commodity anywhere. In fact, in terms of composers, Adams said that the number of true originals can probably be counted on "the fingers of half a hand."

I resisted the temptation to ask John Adams if he felt intimidated following in George Washington's footsteps. I'm sure he's heard that one before.